New York Hunter Safety Course

The 10 Easy Steps to Loading Your Inline Percussion Muzzleloader

Now let's look at the steps involved to load and fire the modern inline percussion muzzleloader. These must be performed each time you want to use this firearm. Practice often! You'll become more accomplished at it, the more often you do this.

Step 1.

Step 2.

Step 3.

Pour black powder from the powder flask into the powder measurer.

Using the powder measurer, pour the measured black powder into the barrel.

Press the bullet into the muzzle.

Step 4.

Step 5.

Step 6.

Using the small end or round end of a bullet starter, gently push the bullet into the barrel.

Push the bullet farther into the barrel by using the longer end of a bullet starter.

Hold the ramrod about 6 inches from the muzzle. Take your time and use short strokes to seat the projectile firmly upon the powder charge so that there is no airspace between the projectile and the powder charge. An air space here can cause a dangerous pressure build-up when firing.

Step 7.

Step 8.

Step 9.

When the mark on your ramrod lines up with the top of the muzzle, the bullet is now seated on top of the charge.

Keeping the muzzle pointed in a safe direction, apply the safety if your firearm has one.

Using the priming tool, seat the percussion cap onto the nipple.

Step 10.

Make sure you wear appropriate eye protection while shooting. Once you are ready, properly identify the target as well as what is before and beyond the target. Line up your sights, disengage the safety if your firearm has one, pull the hammer back to the cocked position and gently squeeze the trigger.